著者

政岡 伸洋

出版者

佛教大学

雑誌

佛教大学総合研究所紀要 (ISSN:13405942)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.6, pp.31-51, 1999-03-25

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This paper discusses the anthropological significance and problems of the so-called Maeul Jesa, a Confucianistic village festival found in Cheju-Do in Korea. Previous studies have held that village festivals were originally undertaken by shamanesses, and that the male portion was detached with the penetration of Confucianism. In order to discover the primitive form of the festival, these studies focused on the historical problem of how the Confucianistic festival developed. However, from this perspective, it is impossible to understand the presentday significance of this festival holds for the people living in the local community, and how it has survived to the present day with its high economic growth. With this point in mind, I studied the Poje of Susan 2-Ri, in Namjeju County, and reached the following conclusions. First, concerning the ritual characteristics, it can be said that while this festival aims at the ideal Confucian practice, prayers are conducted for the peace of the local community by taking into consideration the actual conditions of the area. However, with regard to the latter, shamanesses also conduct rituals. Thus there is no reason for the festival to be Confucianistic. Concerning its organizational aspect, the Chegwan is identical with that of the typical Confucian ritual. To act in this office as a representative of the Munjung confers social status on the person. In other words, the most important thing in the Confucianistic village festival is the ideal Confucian practice. We must note that this is not a premodern problem but a contemporary one. From such perspective. we must regard with caution the argument found in recent studies that Confucianism lies at the axis of Korean national culture. Moreover. the problem of modernity and politics concerning the concept of nation and state is the focus of much attention in recent anthropology. Upon recognizing the regional characteristics of Confucianistic village festivals on Cheju-Do. it may be necessary to undertake an analysis from such standpoint as well.